Swift Silver
Self-Released, 2021
9/10
A Kentucky outfit spearheaded by songwriters Anna Kline and John Looney, this self-titled album brings the artist back to their roots, as they explore soul, twang, gospel and blues with a wealth of talent supporting them.
“Belleville Blues” starts the listen with Kline’s sturdy, soaring pipes guiding the rhythmic form of blues rock that’s got plenty of soul present, and “We’ve Given Up On Us” follows with Looney’s warm electric guitar complementing the cautious drumming from Hayden Miles as well as the poetic, emotive singing.
The middle tracks are some of the best, including the precise keys of the gospel flavored beauty that is “Tonight, Forever Yours”, while “Come On Home To Yourself” picks up the pace with its fuzzy guitar and bouncy landscape of gritty yet melodic southern rock. “The Fields Have Turned Brown”, the lone cover, then displays breezy acoustic guitar amid a harmonic duet that’s a bit rugged but still very pretty in their unique form of Americana.
Further still, “We All Get Our Turn” finds its way into cautious, emotive folk rock, and “Ain’t Wrecked Yet” exits the listen with classic country influences embedded in the eloquent and stirring balladry.
In addition to Miles on drums, Kenny Miles lends a hand on baritone guitar, organ, bass and harmony vocals, and Chris Justice holds down bass on 1 track. Together, they make this debut a very unique and absorbing effort that puts much diversity into their brand of Southern roots music.
Travels well with: The Drunken Hearts- Wheels Of The City; Bill Scorzari- Now I’m Free